As uncertainty continues to swirl amid the COVID-19 crisis, Ellen Perez has found her silver lining. The Shellharbour talent has returned home to spend time with family while also training hard in isolation to maintain her fitness level. Perez has managed to keep an upbeat mindset, but there is one question that continues to cross her mind: what am I staying fit for? "It's been very weird. The hardest thing is not knowing what to be ready for," the 24-year-old said. "Okay, we have June 8th as the current postponed date [for all tennis], but all of us are not really sure what we're training for at the moment. Right now, it's more just to stay fit and do something. "I don't think anyone's out there saying they're getting ready for this tournament, or have to be in good form by that date. I think it's more about keeping fit and healthy, and keeping sane." Perez has still been able to swing her racquet but has also looked at innovative ways to train at home. One of those methods? Doing weighted squats with help from her dog, Mya. "Mya is a Samoyed and I used to always pick her up like that around the house and whatnot," she said. "I took her for a walk the other and as I stopped to do some squats, I thought, 'why not pick up Mya and use her a weight for squats?'. She weighs close to 30 kilos. "I've also been going for a lot of runs and, to test myself, I've been going for some longer runs. As tennis players, we normally do shorter runs and sprint stuff so it's just for something different. I'm still doing at-home workouts and I'm playing tennis. "At this stage, the tennis courts haven't been locked down. Maybe they will in a day or two, depending on how it's progressing.If that does become an issue, my boyfriend has a tennis court in his backyard and an at-home gym." See more: Greyhound racing in Bulli, Dapto continues as NSW moves into COVID-19 lockdown Perez said she had mainly adjusted well to the tennis shutdown period. "I finally have more time to spend with my family," she said. "The only negative outcome right now is in the money situation. Income is not coming in, which is something I'm a little worried about. But I'm keeping a positive mindset and I hope everyone is staying safe." We have removed our paywall from our stories about the coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we aim to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.

Ellen Perez remains upbeat despite tennis shutdown

FAMILY TIME: Ellen Perez has spent time in Shellharbour with her beloved dog, Mya. Picture: Ellen Perez

As uncertainty continues to swirl amid the COVID-19 crisis, Ellen Perez has found her silver lining.

The Shellharbour talent has returned home to spend time with family while also training hard in isolation to maintain her fitness level.

Perez has managed to keep an upbeat mindset, but there is one question that continues to cross her mind: what am I staying fit for?

"It's been very weird. The hardest thing is not knowing what to be ready for," the 24-year-old said.

"Okay, we have June 8th as the current postponed date [for all tennis], but all of us are not really sure what we're training for at the moment. Right now, it's more just to stay fit and do something.

"I don't think anyone's out there saying they're getting ready for this tournament, or have to be in good form by that date. I think it's more about keeping fit and healthy, and keeping sane."

The hardest thing is not knowing what to be ready for.

Ellen Perez

Perez has still been able to swing her racquet but has also looked at innovative ways to train at home.

One of those methods? Doing weighted squats with help from her dog, Mya.

"Mya is a Samoyed and I used to always pick her up like that around the house and whatnot," she said.

"I took her for a walk the other and as I stopped to do some squats, I thought, 'why not pick up Mya and use her a weight for squats?'. She weighs close to 30 kilos.

"I've also been going for a lot of runs and, to test myself, I've been going for some longer runs. As tennis players, we normally do shorter runs and sprint stuff so it's just for something different. I'm still doing at-home workouts and I'm playing tennis.

"At this stage, the tennis courts haven't been locked down. Maybe they will in a day or two, depending on how it's progressing.If that does become an issue, my boyfriend has a tennis court in his backyard and an at-home gym."

Perez said she had mainly adjusted well to the tennis shutdown period.

"I finally have more time to spend with my family," she said. "The only negative outcome right now is in the money situation. Income is not coming in, which is something I'm a little worried about. But I'm keeping a positive mindset and I hope everyone is staying safe."

IN THOUGHT: Ellen Perez. Picture: Simon Sturzaker

We have removed our paywall from our stories about the coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we aim to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.